The Alexandria Library collection of over 90,000 items is supplemented by access to materials at the other five NVCC campuses. We also subscribe to over 200 electronic databases, with access to thousands of online journals. There are over 296,000 items in the total college collection.
Find Us. Find It. Find Out.

It
is our favorite time of the week at the library, the day that we release our
new books to the public. Take it away, Maria!

How the staff reacts to our new acquisitions

This
week’s highlights include...

Spend
an afternoon with Olivia Laing's clear-eyed look at the often bleary-eyed
relationship between American writers and alcohol.

Yemen
represents an especially unstable nation in a volatile region. Learn more about
the history of this fascinating country while exploring the consequences of
state failure on its citizens, neighbors, and the international community.

Scholars
and casual readers alike will be fascinated and entertained by the letters
Hemingway wrote during his first years in Paris. Enjoy these gems, sent to the
writer’s famous correspondents, as a way of accessing Hemingway’s distinctive
style and voice as it developed in the City of Lights.

David
Darling's book pays homage to the eccentric pioneers that first lifted humanity
into the clouds.

It
takes enormous confidence and imagination to invent a life for one of Western
Civilizations best known figures. See how successfully Anne Rice draws the
early life of Jesus of Nazareth in this novel covering his formative years.

Friday, March 28, 2014

The fallout
from Russia's annexation of the Ukraine continues, as the Group of Eight (G8)
was reduced to the Group of Seven (G7) earlier this week.

Learn more
about multinational economic alliances like the G7, the consequences and dangers of states instituting economic sanctions, and the deeply entangled global economy using
the following resources.

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Have you always wondered about how to access NOVA libraries' resources, but were too shy to ask how? Well the librarians at Northern Virginia Community College have you covered with their own YouTube channel. The instructional videos created and uploaded to the site by system experts can help you to locate all the books, journals, articles, and multimedia materials you need to succeed in our coursework and enjoy your downtime.

Friday, March 21, 2014

It has been
13 days since the mysterious and tragic disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370. As an
international coalition of governments and aviation officials are scrambling to
piece together the details of the plane’s last flight, YOUR Alexandria Library
has collected some resources to help patrons understand the complicated science
of modern flight and the challenges facing searchers attempting to recover the
aircraft, passengers, and crew.

This
database is a great way to gather background on the scientific implications of
any major event. Use Science in Context to discover the types of complicated tools and
systems involved in aeronautics and in recovery missions.

TL 553.5 .B52 2008

Bibel’s book
outlines how aviation officials use forensic information to investigate and
prevent aviation disasters.

YOUR Alexandria Library allows patrons access to collections of technical and scientific e-books. Titles in these collections are available for online viewing by NOVA students, faculty, and staff when they log in with a Blackboard username and password. This text discusses the various applications of modern computer based navigational and positioning systems in the modern aircraft.

TL 670.3 .K56 2008

Want to
understand more about the technical history of flight? This resource gives a
great overview of the advancements made in science and engineering that informs
the way planes are built and flown today.

EBSCO’s
Computer and Applied Sciences Complete is a wonderful research tool for
investigating the relationship between any industry and the technology it
relies on to succeed. Learn more about the computing systems used
aboard commercial passenger aircraft, or how advanced satellite systems are
being utilized to find the missing plane using this database.

Thursday, March 20, 2014

There is a threat of snow in the forecast. This is how we feel about it.

It’s been a
long, cold, and brutal winter, but March 20th is the first official
day of spring and the staff of YOUR Alexandria Campus Library could not be more
thrilled.

This glorious image comes with a chorus of angels' song

Come revel
in this turning of the seasons and the promise of temperate weather by checking
out our Spring-themed book display. Plan a garden, wonder at the splendor and beauty
of the natural world, or organize an outdoor adventure with one of our
beautifully designed resources.

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Did you know
that YOUR Alexandria library is constantly receiving new materials to
enlighten, educate, and entertain our patrons? Well, we are and now we want to
share our favorite part of our week with you.

Here are
some of the highlights from our latest batch of information items:

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Did you know
that March 16th-22nd is Sunshine Week? The observance, organized by the
American Society of News Editors and the Reporters’ Committee for Freedom of
the Press, is designated as a time to educate the public about the importance
of open government.

YOUR
Alexandria Library is observing Sunshine with a display of materials that
promote a dialogue about political transparency. Find materials that will help
you understand the social and legal complexities at work in this important
issue, as well as ways that access to information helped journalists and citizens to improve their communities and hold their elected officials
accountable. Learn about the state and federal Freedom of Information Acts
(FOIA) that keep our public institutions honest and open.

So come into
the library, step into the light, and help make your community a brighter place
by understanding your right to be informed.

Friday, March 14, 2014

America has
long played host to a variety of diverse immigrant groups, each bringing their
own unique culture and celebrations with them. March 16th -22nd happens to
host three such cultural celebrations: the Jewish festival of Purim, the
Hindu celebration of Holi, and the Catholic observance of St. Patrick’s Day.
YOUR Alexandria campus is highlighting these holidays and linking you to the
information you need to learn more about these notable days and the immigrant
groups that brought these celebrations to the American mixing pot.

World Religions Online is an excellent
resource to research the rites, beliefs, notables, and observances of global
religions.

E 184 S69 L36 1997

Use this
resource to learn more about the history, culture, and beliefs of one of the
fastest growing segments of the American population. Explore the culture
contributions made by these Americans of Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Sri
Lankan, Nepalese, and Afghan origin.

E 184 I6 I684 1997

Though you
might not be able to tell from the American embrace of St. Patrick’s
festivities and the current romanticism of Irish culture, Irish Americans were not
initially widely welcome in the United States.Learn more about this immigrant group’s struggle for acceptance and
identity through this anthology.

E 184 J5 H566 1997

Jewish
Americans have a long, complex, and important place in the history of the
United States. Use this text to learn more about Jewish contributions to the social,
artistic and political life of the U.S. by learning more about notable Jewish
American leaders, the hostility and misunderstanding they faced, and how well
established communities of Jews were able to assimilate into their surroundings
while maintaining their unique religious and cultural practices.

This
database can be used to search for information on how and why immigrant groups
came to the United States, how they fared in American society, and how well
their social and cultural practices were integrated into the culture as a
whole.

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Have you
ever been curious about what it is like to adopt a vegan lifestyle? Do you ever
wonder about the benefits and drawbacks of eating a plant-based diet? Do you
have questions about how humanely animals are treated in the American farm and
slaughterhouse system?

The
Alexandria Campus Library, in partnership with a coalition of Vegetarian/Vegan
Alexandria Campus students, is hosting a screening of the 2011 documentary Vegucated. This work addresses some
critical questions about the American diet and food consumption habits from the
vegan perspective. Billed by the movie’s director as “part sociological
perspective and part adventure comedy,” Vegucated
covers the journey of three non-vegetarians New-Yorkers as they struggle to
embrace a totally plant-based diet.

So come join
library staff and Alexandria campus community members on Thursday, March 20th
in on the upper floor of the library to learn more about the philosophy and
practice of this lifestyle.The movie
begins at 4 pm in Room 327. Vegan snacks and prizes
will be provided to participants after the viewing.